Colin Cameron was only half joking by claiming Cowdenbeath could be a culture shock too far for Jermain Defoe.

The former Central Park player-boss believes one look the stock car racing stadium could see the new Rangers star hot-wheeling it back down south.

As Steven Gerrard’s side prepare for Friday night’s Scottish Cup clash against the League Two part-timers, Cameron also insists he could be one of the few have an instant attraction to a ground which is an eyesore to most.

He said: “If it’s Jermain’s first game then he might decide to head back down south right after the final whistle.

“He might come in and see Central Park and say to himself: ‘what have I got myself into here?’

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“No, I’m sure it’ll turn out fine – but it’ll certainly be an eye-opener for most of the players at Rangers.

“That’s where Cowdenbeath have to try and take advantage of the situation, and hope that the Rangers players take one look at the place and think: ‘I don’t fancy this.’

“I loved my first sight of Central Park because it is where I made my debut for Raith Rovers.

“I went from playing on public parks, so it wasn’t too much of a shock.

“Later, there were times when I found it hard to get too excited about playing there. It’s a tight park and I can remember picking up nuts, bolts and parts of cars that had been left from the stock car meeting before the game.

(Image: SNS)

“There is one groundsman expected to do his best. The stock cars would sometimes go on the park as well so you would see these tracks where they had done donuts. It drove me nuts when I was manager there.

“I like to set up a team to try and pass. Asking them to do that when there were rutted tyre marks on the pitch wasn’t great.

“I wouldn’t think there will be any tyre marks on Friday.”

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Cameron also admits the battle to beat the big freeze which is set to sweep the country in the coming days could be a major hurdle and revealed he has his own memories of making sure Cowden games went ahead.

He said: “The problem will be the cold weather. I know they have covers now and will desperate to get the game on.

(Image: Rangers FC/Press Association Ima)

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‘I remember one big game in my time, I think it was Dunfermline, and we were desperate to get it on. There was one goalmouth that was still in doubt, so we actually drove a car onto the pitch and left the exhaust pointing to that area to try and thaw it out.

‘We just managed to get the game on, so it worked.”

Gerrard could do worse and give Cameron a call for a preparatory grand tour of Central Park ahead of the tie and the former Scotland and Hearts midfielder is aware Cowden’s home comforts could be their greatest weapon.

He said: “If Cowdenbeath can get in about them and upset them that way as well, then stranger things have happened.

(Image: Rangers FC/Press Association Ima)

“The away dressing room is maybe better now than it was when I was there.

“Back when I was manager the opposition players had to walk through the gym to get to the changing room. And the away dressing room isn’t a pretty sight.

“They neglected to update the away dressing room and I think a lot of the clubs at that level are the same.

“They will try and use home advantage as much as they possibly can and that’s what Cowdenbeath will be looking to do.

“I also don’t think there will be enough space for all the Rangers players to get changed.

“The kitman will lay the strips out and then he’ll need to get out, it’s so small. There isn’t even space for all the bags. You couldn’t swing a cat in there.